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Speight's loss is Tomane's gain for Lions

Fri 10 May 2013, 3:25 PM AEST

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Unlucky ... Fijian-born Henry Speight is ineligible for selection in the Wallabies squad to face the Lions.

Stefan Postles: Getty Images

Brumbies flyer Joe Tomane insists team-mate Henry Speight would be the first winger picked for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series if eligible despite himself being named in Robbie Deans' 30-man provisional Wallabies squad.

Unfortunately for Fijian-born Speight, launching his rugby career at Waikato in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship (NPC) means he will not be able to play for the Wallabies until the Spring Tour of Europe at the end of the year.

Speight's loss however looks to be Tomane's gain, with the former Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans player just one of two specialist wingers included in Deans' provisional squad announced in April.

Tomane had limited opportunities in his sole game for the Wallabies in wet conditions against Scotland in 2012 and then suffered an ankle injury at training which derailed his season just two days later.

He described the possibility of returning to the Wallabies for the Lions tour in June and July as "awesome".

"When I came to rugby I never thought I would play for the Wallabies," the 23-year-old Marsden State High School product said.

"I have a chance to be part of history. They only come once every 12 years.

"If there is some super supplement in 12 years time which will make me feel 23 again, I'll be able to have another crack at them, but I highly doubt that."